Philadelphia Region Reacts To The Death Of Pope Francis

PENNSYLVANIA — Tributes to Pope Francis, who died Monday at age 88, poured in from across Pennsylvania.

Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli hospital this February for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy.

"A man of prayer and intellect with a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother, Pope Francis entrusted the faithful to the mercy of Almighty God," Archbishop of the Philadelphia Catholic Diocese Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez said Monday morning. "He encouraged everyone to be an instrument of Christ’s compassionate love by extending a kind and merciful hand to the marginalized and those most in need."

Francis tapped Pérez to lead the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 2020. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is holding a mass for Francis at 12:05 p.m. Monday.

"Pope Francis dedicated his life to uplifting the marginalized and advocating for the environment, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all creation," Villanova University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue said." His teachings urged us to foster a culture of encounter, where dialogue and understanding take precedence over division and conflict. May his commitment to peace, compassion and social justice remind us of the importance of humility and service in our daily lives."

On Tuesday, Villanova will host masses at 12:05 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. in St. Thomas of Villanova Church for the repose of Pope Francis' soul.

"Let us gather in spirit and solidarity to remember and commemorate the life of a leader whose profound influence transcended borders and touched lives around the world," Donohue said.

Gov. Josh Shapiro took to social media to express his sadness at the religious leader's death.

"I was honored to meet the Pope during his 2015 visit to Pennsylvania," Shapiro said on social media. "A few years later when he powerfully spoke out in the wake of the Grand Jury report on child abuse in our Commonwealth, he was the first of his position to finally acknowledge the suffering of survivors who have too long been ignored. He leaves a legacy of being a fighter for the defenseless — a teaching we should all learn from."

State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta recalled the pope's visit to Philadelphia and the weight and wonder he felt seeing the pope.

"He led with humility, spoke with moral courage, and never stopped reminding us of our obligation to care for 'the least of these,'" Kenyatta said. "May he rest in power—and may we carry forward his call to serve, to love, and to lift up those who’ve been pushed to the margins."

"With news of Pope Francis’ death, Radnor Township Police Department remembers the privilege of protecting his holiness at the 2015 World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia," Radnor Police said on social media.

"I will never forget the joy his election as the first Latin American Pope brought to the Latino people I was serving in south Minneapolis, at the time," Bishop of Camden Most Reverend Joseph A. Williams said. "They were deeply touched by his simplicity and humility and saw their culture lifted up in his ascension to the See of Peter."

The pope emerged from his convalescence on Easter Sunday to bless thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square and treat them to a surprise popemobile romp through the piazza, drawing wild cheers and applause as he continued his recovery from a near-fatal bout of double pneumonia.

“Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!” Francis said, his voice sounding stronger than it has since he was released from the hospital on March 23.

History’s first Latin American pontiff and also the first Jesuit elected to head the Roman Catholic Church, Francis charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor, the marginalized and migrants but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change.

The Holy Father named himself after St. Francis of Assisi in deference to the saint’s humility and commitment to the poor and his message of peace. He lived in a simple two-room suite at the Vatican guesthouse rather than the more luxurious Apostolic Palace.

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!”

The Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has offered prayers and condolences for Francis to his spiritual brothers, sisters and followers around the world.

He said in a letter that Francis had dedicated himself to the service of others, “consistently revealing by his own actions how to live a simple, but meaningful life. The best tribute we can pay to him is to be a warm-hearted person, serving others wherever and in whatever way we can.”

The first formal liturgical ritual for Francis will occur at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT) on Monday with the confirmation of the pope's death and the placement of the body in the coffin.

The Vatican released the announcement from Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the master of liturgical ceremonies. The presiding prelate is Cardinal Joseph Farrell, the camerlengo who has taken over the administration of the Holy See and will remain in charge until a new pope is elected.

Those invited to attend the ceremony, which will take place in the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel where Francis lived, are the dean of the College of Cardinals, any relatives of the pope, the director and vice director of the Vatican's health department.

The body rests in the pope's personal chapel for the ritual pronouncement of death, presided over by the camerlengo, the Vatican official who runs the Holy See administration between the death or resignation of one pope and the election of another.

For the public, the cardinal archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, is expected to lead a recitation of the Rosary prayer in St. Peter's Square later Monday.

According to the new rites and rituals Francis approved last year, the body will remain in the chapel for a few days before being brought for public viewing in St. Peter's Basilica. After that there will be the funeral and conclave to elect a new pope.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.